As one who born
and raise in the refugee camp in India, Mr. Tenzin Losel a Tibetan social
worker is strongly believed that for Tibetan community in exile a spiritual support
is as equal important to that material need. With a support from
Sathirakoses-Nagapradipa Foundation, The organization that have strong emphasis
on the spiritual well being of humanity in Thailand. This project is aim to
support senior Tibetan refugees who lived in exile for more than 50 years. Due
to old age, health and economic condition, many of these Tibetan senior in
exile were unable to participate in religious pilgrimage and unable to join His
Holiness 14th the Dalai Lama annual teaching. “Diaspora Smile Project” empowers
them with supporting in kind of transportation, assistance staff, food and
accommodation during the pilgrimage season. From 2009-2013, We have successful
support about 280 Senior Tibetan refugee age between 60-90 years old, from
Mainpat Tibetan Settlement in Bihar , Refugee Camp near Bumtang in Bhutan,
Choephelling Tibetan settlement in Miao, Arunachal Pradesh, Paljorling
Settlement in Pokhara, Nepal, and Phuntsokling Tibetan settlement from Orissa.

Photography Project

From beginning
of this project Mr. Bhanuwat Jittivuthikarn have start collaborate this project
by working with still image for fund raising campaign in Thailand. He regularly
took portraits of old people with a smile on the night after they have received
private blessing from His Holiness Dalai Lama. While Most other photographers
often portray image of Tibetan in exile as an alien culture on the verge of
extinction, being slowly destroyed by the materialization in the process of
Globalization. Bhanuwat on the other hand is fascinate by the tradition value
characteristic of the old Tibetan who can laugh openly as similar to what he
describe as “Thai people ability to smile”, he is believe there are simply
connection between this two tradition emphasize by the Dhramma teaching of
Buddha. We wish that audience who have view these photograph will look at
Tibetan refugee in a new way, not as miserable political victim nor as an alien
exotic being, but with a new respect. As friends who tell us that compassion
and kindnessis the secret of our
survival in a harsh world today. So we hope this work is an invitation to
discover the potential of simple image that have a power to inspire life with
full of compassion.